Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In the context of junior cycle reform, A Framework for Junior Cycle was launched on 4 October 2012. The implementation will begin on a phased basis in 2014. The cohort of young people entering first year in September 2014 will be the first to partake. All of the existing subjects, including science, will continue to be available. All students will be required to experience 24 statements of essential learning as part of their junior cycle programmes. These statements describe what students should know, understand, value and be able to do at the end of junior cycle, having fully engaged with and participated in the junior cycle programme of their schools. Irish, except where there is an exemption, English and mathematics will remain core full subjects.

One of the 24 statements of learning refers clearly to science when it states, "values the role and contribution of science and technology to society, and their personal, social and global importance". Furthermore, science is also recognised in the junior cycle framework as having a key role in a number of other statements of learning. From 2016 onwards, there will be a standardised test for all second year students in science. This gives a particular importance to science in the framework. Schools will also have the option of providing locally developed short courses of 100 hours, supported by exemplars developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA. However, it will be a matter for schools to determine from the range of subjects and short courses on offer how these statements of learning will be met.

Overall, my Department is in favour of leaving the decisions on what is offered at the school's discretion and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from as possible. Schools are best placed to identify the needs of their students. The junior cycle framework gives them the flexibility to meet their students' needs in the most appropriate way.

Currently, science is not a compulsory subject in the junior cycle. However, the overwhelming majority of students, some 88%, opt to take it. The specifications for science are being developed by the NCCA. The new specifications will be implemented in schools from 2015. We know that there will be a greater emphasis on school work than heretofore. In the recast junior cycle syllabus, some 40% of the marks will be awarded for the second component, that is, work in the classroom, and only 60% for the final exam. This will allow students and their instructors to engage to a greater extent in practical learning. Hopefully, it will encourage more students to continue their science and maths studies into the senior cycle and beyond.

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